The Ken Stephen medal is one of Rugby League’s highest off field honours, awarded to an NRL player in recognition of their commitment and time off field to community projects.
Ken Stephen was an administrator who devoted 28 years to the NSWRL in various capacities. He retired shortly before his death in 1988.
Players must be nominated by their NRL club for their involvement in charity work, youth development or community support.
The nominated player will have consistently demonstrated their commitment to making a difference in their community and be seen as a role model in this area at their NRL club.
The Gold Coast Titans have long been regarded as leaders in the community space, conducting more community events and donating more time to selected charities, causes and initiatives than any other sporting team in the country.
The club’s efforts previously recognised with Preston Campbell and Luke Douglas who are former recipients of the prestigious community award making us the only club to have had two Ken Stephen Medal winners within 10 years of one another.
This year co-captain William Zillman has been nominated for another year of outstanding community service. ‘Zilly’ has been an active member of the Gold Coast community since he joined the Titans in 2009 and has completed over 650 hours in the community.
So far this season, the veteran Titan has racked up more than twenty-nine (29) appearances and seventy (70) hours of official club hours in the community, working on a number of key club projects and with several charities he has personal attachment to.
Will is a regular in class with the Titans Learning Centre students, spending hours mentoring young disengaged and at risk youths.
The TLC program aims to support students who demonstrate low self-esteem, social difficulties and are generally disinterested in school or their education which generally leads to poor academic performance and attendance problems.
Zillman’s desire to help those who need it most extends to “Giddy Up” a unique program which utilises horse care, handling and riding to benefit youth and disadvantaged individuals from across the community.
Somewhat of a horse whisperer himself, the Titans fullback works with Giddy Up whenever his schedule permits. The charity commitments don’t end there for Zillman who has worked closely with MS QLD since 2013, he’s also an ambassador with the Burleigh Bears JRL and is a White Ribbon Ambassador in training.
To register your vote for the Gold Coast Titans William Zillman click on - NRL.Com/KenStephenMedal
Nominees will be invited to attend the NRL Community Awards function held in Sydney. Voting closes on Wednesday 17th August.
